In the midst of COP28, Indigenous representatives from climate-affected nations shared personal narratives with Al Arabiya English on Tuesday, shedding light on the profound impact of global warming in remote regions worldwide.
Advocates and Indigenous groups assembled at COP28, urging leaders to fulfill promises of protecting ancestral lands and calling for increased funding to address the loss and damage caused by climate change, which they argue jeopardizes their heritage and unique traditions.
John Ruben, a 30-year-old from Vanuatu, narrated the distressing experiences of his one-year-old daughter facing four tropical cyclones in 2023. Ruben, a science researcher, emphasizes the urgent need for financial aid and proposes establishing a dedicated research center in Vanuatu to study the specific impacts of climate change.
Johnny K. Silk, Jr., a 23-year-old activist from the Marshall Islands, expressed concerns about losing his home to rising sea levels. Despite being minor contributors to pollution, these islands face imminent threats from climate-induced disasters and must choose between reinforcing coastlines or potential displacement in the next 70 years.
Razan al-Mubarak, the UN Climate Change High-Level Champion of the UAE, hosting COP28, highlighted the challenge of converting data into actionable information for aiding indigenous communities and women. She emphasized the importance of confidence in data and advocated for greater collaboration between databases.
Addressing fund allocation disparities, al-Mubarak acknowledged the need to ensure funds reach the intended recipients, emphasizing the involvement of indigenous peoples in designing financial mechanisms. COP28’s presidency announced the ‘COP28 Gender-Responsive Just Transitions and Climate Action Partnership,’ aiming to address data, finance, and equal opportunities, with implementation reviewed during COP31.
Expressing optimism, al-Mubarak hoped for universal agreement and endorsement of the initiative, stating, “We’re shooting for the stars,” as 68 out of over 196 countries pledged commitment on Tuesday.
